Nelson Mandela On Deathbed: Family Asks For Prayers

So sad. Nelson Mandela’s grandchildren are asking people on Twitter to pray for him while he remains in critical condition for a lung infection.

Former South African leader Nelson Mandelasuffered a sudden deterioration in his health on June 23, after being admitted to the hospital two weeks ago for treatment for a recurrent lung infection. Nelson was first rushed to the hospital on June 8, when he was declared to be in “serious but stable condition.” Since then, his condition has worsened.

Nelson Mandela In Critical Condition

Nelson’s daughter Makaziwe Mandela said the family will not end his medical treatment until Nelson requests they do so.

“In our culture, the Tembu culture, that I know, the African culture that I know you never release the person unless the person has told you please my children, my family release me. My dad hasn’t said that to us. So these people who want to talk about, you know, release him, he hasn’t said we should release him and we haven’t come to the end yet. It is only God who knows the end,” she told CNN.

On a positive note, Makaziwe added that she feels her father is at peace. He can still open his eyes, according to the interview.

“Yes, I believe he is at peace. He is at peace with himself. He has given so much to the world I believe he is at peace,” she added.

Nelson’s Granddaughters Ask For Prayers On Twitter

“He’s fighting spirit is what amazes me. I don’t know what keeps him fighting and he is stoic and determined, that I will end things my way. Not any other person’s way. I strongly feel that whatever covenant he has made with his ancestors and god has not been fulfilled, when that is fulfilled he will bow out in a way that he chooses,” Nelson’s granddaughter Ndileka Mandela also said in the CNN interview.

Nelson’s other two granddaughters, Swati Dlamini and Zaziwe Dlamini-Manaway, used Twitter to talk about their grandfather and ask for prayers. “Let us never forget to pray. God lives. He is near. He is real. He is not only aware of us but cares for us. He is our rock, we are firmly glued together because of him. We are UNITED!” they wrote.

So sad.

Nelson Mandela Worries Nation With Each Hospitalization

Sadly, Nelson has been in and out of the hospital for years.

Nelson, who served 27 years in a South African prison under the white-minority apartheid regime, has become increasingly frail recently and has been in and out of the hospital. He spent three weeks in the hospital in December for a lung infection. Then, in March, he was admitted to the hospital for a check-up. In late March, he was hospitalized, when he battled another lung infection.

Nelson recently underwent two procedures at Pretoria Hospital to repair a bleeding ulcer and to insert a tube into his body. On June 23, his family reportedly discussed whether to withdraw treatment.

We hope Nelson can pull through. Our thoughts are with Nelson’s family and friends at this time.